The dean of Western Carolina University’s Honors College had to pull the plug on his
106-mile bicycle ride for pledges just 16 miles short of his goal, but he plans to
return to the Blue Ridge Parkway this coming weekend (Oct. 27-28) to complete the
effort.

Brian Railsback began his three-day trek from Cullowhee to Mount Mitchell on Saturday
(Oct. 20). Railsback said things went well for the first two days of his journey,
aside from having to deal with the heavy leaf-looker traffic. He pedaled from Cullowhee
to Balsam, and then north on the parkway to Richland Balsam on the first day. On the
second day, he reached his planned destination, the parkway-U.S. 25 intersection at
Asheville, ahead of schedule.

After enjoying spectacular cycling conditions on the first two days of his ride, Railsback
ran into wet weather on Monday (Oct. 22). Railsback said he didn’t mind the rainy
conditions, but the fog became thicker and thicker as he made the long uphill climb
on the parkway between Asheville and Mount Mitchell.

“I was hoping the fog would thin out, but instead it kept getting worse as I went
higher. It was unbelievably thick,” he said.

Fearing for his safety in the heavy traffic, Railsback stopped at mile 90, just south
of the Craggy Gardens area. He plans to return to that point this coming weekend and
complete the final 16 miles to the summit of Mount Mitchell.

Railsback’s ride to Mount Mitchell, part of the Honors College’s 10th anniversary
celebration, is duplicating a successful fundraiser that he undertook a decade ago
to give a boost to the college’s student scholarship fund. All the money raised during
this year’s pledge ride will go toward providing tuition assistance to deserving Honors
College students.

Anyone interested in making a pledge or learning more about the Honors College should
call its office at (828) 227-7383.

Maintained by the Office of Public RelationsLast modified: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007